Last week, I spent 3 days with an incredible team of artists at the beautiful Serenbe, right outside of Atlanta, being inspired, catered to, and coached. The Fount Workshop was a photographer's dream getaway (honestly, Tiffany Farley confessed it was based on her idea of a dream workshop) and I am so very glad I made the investment to attend.
Fifteen other motherhood photographers and I spent our time together observing while professional stylists and photographers collaborated to bring their visions to life. Between each of the five separate styled shoots, we also had the opportunity to learn that business money management isn't so bad from the very knowledgable (and sought-after) Shanna Skidmore. In addition, we gained valuable insight into the creative process of photographers as artists. This workshop leaned more towards relaxation, inspiration and encouragement to consider yourself an artisan versus equipping and training on the business and marketing side of things. Athlough, there truly was a bit of everything thrown in. I knew ahead of time that this workshop would be different. And in my case, different was oh-so-very good.
It is easy to lose a bit of your artist self when you have to approach your work from a business standpoint. Balancing numbers and customer service is a quick way to help you forget why you started doing this work in the first place. The Fount Workshop took me back to the heart of why I do what I do. The team embraced the differences of each attendee and encouraged us to continue being true to our own voice. They shared practical tools we can use to bring us back to the heartbeat of our work again and again.
Some of my biggest takeaways were:
- Rest is best... sometimes you have to take a step back and regroup in order to continue producing your best work.
- I'll be painting my studio walls white... not grey.
- I'm going to beg my husband to let me also stain my studio floors white (ha!).
- Journaling is truly all it is cracked up to be.
- Client experience really does go a long way... (not that I ever doubted)... and I will be adding even more elements to the experience I offer my clients in the very near future.
- More session styling also coming to the Liz Cook Photography studio in the very near future.
- I've also already purchased a few more pieces for my client wardrobe as well.
Below are some of my favorite behind the scenes images from our time together. In the coming days I will be sharing images from each of the styled shoots we worked on. And also... this blog is coming back to life! :)
Doesn't it look heavenly? It really was. If you are looking for a workshop that will renew your artisan spirit, encourage you to keep being true to yourself, and equip you to reach your goals, I highly recommend The Fount Workshop. Tiffany, Rylee and Abany are skilled in their crafts and are passionate about encouraging other artists to find their why. This was the perfect blend of a momtog getaway and an inspiring retreat, with sprinkles of business wisdom on top. :)
I am so grateful I made the investment to attend... and I totally plan to attend again in the future!
Liz is a wedding, family and birth photographer in Central Virginia. She loves to photograph fun and easygoing couples in love as well as emotional and discreet birth stories and just about anything in-between.
In the second picture below, do you see the small silver circle on the ceiling above the bathtub? That is the water spout. Yes... the bath tub filled up from the ceiling. So neat!
Me, taking photos of my cabin:
The group of us:
This is our evening waitress, Emily. She was one of the best servers I've ever had. We loved her so much we left her a card at the end of the retreat. :)
Dessert was served in the sitting area and we ate it during each evening session:
